Display device



y 1938. F. a. GARNER ET AL 2,119,430

DI SPLAY DEVICE Filed March 12, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 vided with inclined notches for engagement with Patented Ma er, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application March 12, 1937. Serial No. 130,507

x 111 mm- (CL 40-140) This invention relates to display devices, and is particularly concerned with improvements in illuminated display signs of the general character disclosed, for example, in the United States 5 patent to Wagner, No. 2,048,040.

Such patented structure comprises a displayv receptacle or box containing illuminating means, such as light bulbs or the like, and provided at the side with a glass display panel. Removably mounted in front of this glass panel are letters or characters which desirablyare provided with rearwardly projecting peripheral flanfles and appear in clear silhouette outline against the panel to convey the desired message. These letters or characters may have their peripheral flanges prowires or rods secured to the display box and disposed horizontally in front of the glass panel,'or

they may be provided with lug-like extensions for engagement in channels afforded by a mutanting frame securedto the display box and lying in front of the glass panel. a

One object of the invention is concerned with a new and improved structure for such a sign, which makes it easier to obtain access to the inv terior of the box or casing and thus facilitates repairs. particularly as regards replacement of light bulbs. This object is attained by the provision of an auxiliary frame or carrier for the' glass panel. which also includes the supporting means for the removable letters or characters. This carrier in its preferred form eilectively combines in one integral structure the glass panel, supporting or protective means for the panel, and mounting or supporting means for the removable letters or characters, which can be removed from or replaced in the display box at a single operation. 1 i

A salient feature of the present invention resides in the fact that the auxiliary frame or caror characters with their rearwardly projecting flanges in that close proximity to the panel which I is necessary to the realisation oi a clear silhouette eflect,-this being true because the vertical members oi the auxiliary frame or carrier lie, for the most part, against the edge portions of their associated panels and extend but slightly outwardly beyond the outer surfaces of the panels.

These and other objects and features not specifically stated in the foregoing are explained in the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings. In these drawings: Fig. 1 is a partial elevational view of one form of sign wherein the invention may be used, with rier is capable of supporting its associated lettersparts broken away to illustrate, the new panel and letter carrier means; 4 I v Fig. 2 is a sectional the structureshown in Fig. 1 along the line 2I;

Fig. 3 represents, on an enlarged scale, an assembly of adjacent auxiliary frames or carriers holding adjacent sections of glass panels;

Fig. 4 is a partial view in section of a glass panel mounted in place and of a letter or character secured in position on its new mounting provision:

Figs. 5 and 6 represent sectional partial views similar to the one shown in Fig. 4, but especially adaptedfor letters or characters having lug-like extensions:

Fig. 7 represents part of a resilient member for insertion between adjacent channel carriers;

'Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate another embodiment of securing the letter mounting means to the panel carrier provisions; Figs. l0, l1, and 12 indicate different embodiments of panel carrying means combined .with letter mounting means; and

Fig. 13 is a partial section on the line ll-IS, Pig. 3.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, the illustrated embodiment of a sign structurecomprises an opaque receptacle or box generally indicated by numeral II. This box is provided with frontalopenings, such as I! and I3, for receiving glass panels which may or may not be supplied in sections, according to the size of the sign. In the illustrated case these panels are in sections, such as 25, 20, 21, and 20. Inside of the receptacle are provided light sources, such as diagrammatically shown at II and ii, for substantially uniformly illuminating the glass panels held in the frontal openings. The uppermost frontal opening of this particular sign structure is limited at the top by the ledge l6 and at the bottom by the strip I! which in turn defines the upper side of. the next frontal opening II, as indicated in the drawings.

It will be understood, of course, that the above described sign structure has been chosen merely for the purpose of showing'a practical embodiment to which the invention can be applied. Other forms of sign structures of this character may be substituted. For example, the sign may merely comprise a suitable opaque box having one large frontal opening with provisions such as described herein for mounti ng letters inv a number of horizontal rows one disposed above the other.

Regardless of whether we are dealing with a specific sign structure, such as the one illustrated. having a number of superimposed frontal openings, or with a sign structure having only one suitably large frontal opening, there are provisions in either case for inserting the glass panel or panels. These provisions, as indicated particularly in Fig. 2, may take the form of peripheral channels, such as shown at 20-2l-22, the

but it is understood that the invention may be employed to advantage with structures already in use which have double channels, such as are shown, for example, in Figs. 7 and 8 of the previously noted Wagner patent.

Assuming that the frontal opening, such as indicated at I! in Figs. 1- and 2, is to be equipped with a glass panel, this panel may be made in sections 25, 26, 21, and 2!, each equipped with carrier provisions as shown partially on an enlarged scale in Fig. 3.

Referring now to Flgi 3, each of the panel sections, e. g., the section 21, is held in a carrier comprising oppositely disposed channel members, such as 303l. These channel members are-of generally U-shaped cross section, the internal width of the channel corresponding in general to the thickness of the glass panel. It will be understood, therefore, that these channel members are rather small. Each channel member is, in this embodiment, bent over at the bottom, as indicatedat 32 and 33, in order to provide a rest for the bottom edge of the glasspanel. The entire channel carrier may be U-shaped with the bottom section forming one continuous strip with the upright sections 30 and 3|. The inside distance between the members 30 and II corresponds to the width or length of the associated glass panel. Cross bars, such as II and 15, are provided on one side of the upright channel members 3li-3l, each bar consisting of a frontal mounting portion for receiving the letters ,or characters and of legs, such'as "-81, or 38-19, the latter being suitably secured, for example, by welding, to the corresponding side of the upright channel members "AI. Only two such cross bars 34-" are shown in the drawings, in accordance with the simple embodiment of the sign structure chosen for convenient description. It is clear, however, that each sectional carrier, such as the one shown in Fig. 3 and holding the panel 21, may be provided of any suitable height and equipped with a number of pairs of cross" bars suitably spaced from each other in a vertical direction so as to mount on the sign a number of rows of letters one above the other.

The handling of the glass panel is greatly facilitated by means of the cross bars and thus it can be put in place in the sign structure with greater ease and with considerably greater safety Single channels,

aligned with the lower channel and lowered to position, as shown in Fig. 2.

' Fig. 1 shows several such panels indicated at 25, 26, 21, and 2B and their carriers in place on the sign. The cross bars for panel 25 are indicated by numerals 40 -4 l, and one of the upright channel members l2, holding the panel 25, is also visible. The panel 26 is held by a similar frame or carrier comprising the vertical channel members l3 and the cross bars 45-46. The holder or carrier for the panel "has been described in detail with reference to Fig. 3. The corresponding frame or barrier for the'panel 28 com-- prises the vertical channel member 41 and the cross bars 48-49. The panel section 25 is positioned first and pushed to the left within the channels of the box frame, and the,other panels with their carriers are successively mounted in the same way as previously described, and lined up one against the other until they assume the position shown in Fig. 1.

It should be stated that the dimensions of the upright channel members, and also of the corresponding cross bars, are rather small as compared with the size of the letters. The true relation of parts has been distorted in the drawings for the sake of a clear presentation. At any rate, these parts which are thus disposed in the front of the glass panel are in no way conspicuous in the structure considered as a whole, and do not in any way detract from its appearance or detrimentally affect the purpose of the sign.

The upright channel members may be' willciently long so as to extend up to the upper edge ofthe glass panel, or they may even extend slightly beyond the edge of the panel, as shown. It is understood, however, that the uprights may also be shorter, in which case they would not enter the corresponding channel in the frame of the box. Their relation to the panel would then correspond to the showing of Fig. 10 representing an embodiment wherein the upright channel members and 98 (taking the place of members such as 30 and 3| in Fig. 3) are shorter than the glass panel 91. If desired, the uprights may be merely straight strips 01' channel. material just long enough to align their ends with the upper and lower edges of the panel, or long enough that their ends project beyond the panel edge. In this case, ,the channel strips would hold the panel by lateral pressure exerted by the letter mountings or cross members.

In Fig. 1 are shown letters constituting an example of a desired message and being of a structure such as, for example, disclosed in the previously noted Wagner patent. Each letter is provided with a peripheral flange having inclined notches so that the letter can be attached to the cross bars by inserting the bars into the notches. The specific design and appearance of the letters used in this instance for the purpose of example does not form any P rticular Part of this invention; the letters or characters may assume any suitable form desired for any particular purpose. In the cross section, Fig. 2, is shown a side view of the letter N visible from this point of observation. The rearmost edges of-the flanges of this letter, and also of the other letters, are in reality very close to the glass panel, but have been shown somewhat separated from the panel for thesake of convenience and clarity the legs I! to one side of an upright carrier chanplace of the cross bars such as 5i indicated innel member 53 holding the glass panel 34. It will be seen that the rearmost edge of this letter is very close to the panel. If desired, the angle of the legs 52 of the cross supports, such as- SI, may be chosen so as to bring the rearmost edges of the, corresponding letters in direct contact with the glass panel, or at any desired distance therefrom.

In Figs. 5 and 6 are shown embodiments adapting the invention for use in conjunction with letters of the lug extension type. Referring to Fig. 5, one face of an upright channel member 59, holding a glass panel 53, may be provided with the angular legs ill of a channel-shaped cross-bar 99. The lug extension I59 of the letter 00 is inserted in the channel-shaped cross member 00, as indicated, one such member being pro- J vided on the top and another at the bottom. The channel-shaped cross bars such as 53 take the Fig. 4. In Fig. 6, is shown a variation of this mounting provision wherein channel-shaped cross members such as ii are directly attached to one side of the upright channel member 55'.

It will be seen from the above that the letters or characters, regardless of their specific construction, may be brought close to the glass panel, thereby securing the intended silhouette effect when the panel is illuminated. It may also be noted at this point that the material of the upright carrier channel members, such as 44, 30, ll, 41 in Fig. 3, holding the various glass panels may be chosen rather thin, and it is thus possible to attach letters in such a way that they cover these vertical sections of the auxiliary members together, as shown in Fig. 3 at 30 and frames either wholly or in part. In other words, the provision of these upright channel members doesnot affect the correct or desired spacing of the letters.

In order to obtain a close assembly of the ads jacent vertical carrier channel uprights, provision has been made so as to clip or lock these II, respectively. These members may be simple clips of resilient material.

If desired, a suitable strip made of an elastic material, such as rubber, and, for example, I- shaped in cross section, as shown in Fig. '7, may be used for insertion between the adjacent upright channel members. The advantages resulting from the use of such a strip may appear, for example, inregions where severe weather conditions exist or where violent temperature fluctuations are likely to occur, to prevent the accumulation of ice lgtw'een the glass panel sections and their holders, ("Tr to eliminate the detrimental eflect of stresses or the like, caused by temperature changes. when put in place, the central portion 10 will be located between adja- 00 cent channels such as 44-30 (Fig. 3), while the portions II and I2 willextend vertically along the back and front, respectively, of the channel uprights and cover the junction thereof.

In Figs. 8 and 9 Is shown an embodiment of 65 a panel carrier comprising the upright channel member 35 and a strip 09 having a central portion which may be suitably attached to one side of the channel member 95, for example, by welding, and two projections noted at 31-33 which 70 are disposed at an angle to the face oiLthe carrier channel. Each upright channel member used in a sign structure such as indicated,for example, in Fig. 3 at 44, 30-3I, and 41, may be equipped with a strip or strips, such as 00, fur- 15 nishingthe support for the cross bars to be secured to the panel carrier. The cross bars, such as 31 and 61', in this case may be welded at their ends to the angular projections 31-33, the welding points being indicated at and 39. The advantage of this modification, as compared with the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, resides in the fact that the desired vertical distance between the cross bars is predetermined with more accuracy by the provision of thestrip 83 than would be possible by welding the legs (36-31, 33-39 in Fig. 3) to the corresponding carrier channel members.

, Referring now to Fig. 10, numeral 90 indicates tion. Such an upright may be provided at one end with angular extensions, such as indicated at 32 and 33 in Fig. 3, if desired. The pockets 93-94-95 of the various uprights inserted between adjacent glass panels are horizontally aligned in the assembled sign structure, and the.

cross bars, such as 99, may be removably inserted in the corresponding pockets in the manner indicated in Fig. 10. The glass paneljno'ted at. 91 is thus disposed'within the channels formed by the uprights 90 and 93,and the pockets=93-93'.

94-94, and 05-95 are horizontally aligned, as

indicated. It is understood, of course, that'the cross bars, such as 93, may be inserted at any level provided by these pockets. Changes are thus easily made. Part of such an \I-shaped upright I00 with one pocket IOI is shown in Fig. 11, illustrating the attachment of cross bars, such as I02 and I03, in front of adjacent glass panels. The glass panels are, of course, inserted in the channels I04 and I05, respectively. It will be seen that eachcross bar consists of the cross member proper, with an angular extension, such as I08, I01, the extensions being placed within the corresponding pocket such as IOI.

The advantage of a structure such as the one just described resides in the ease of shipment and, among others, in the adaptability to the use of letters of various sizes. The cross bars which are removable from the panel carrier have the additional function of tying the various sectionsof the, panel carriers firmly together to form a unitary structure. It is clear, therefore, that in this particular case special clip provisions,

the sections together are not required. The

panels can also be brought very close together,

due to the fact that only one width of material, namely, the rib I03, need be considered.

' An alternative structure 'of sucha channel upright is indicated in Fig. 12, comprising the tubular member IIO havingv apertures or pockets III (which correspond to the pockets 93-94-95 inFi'g. i0), and carrying a generally 'T-shaped extension comprising a rib III and the strip II3 forming the channels H4 and H5. In this case cross bars with legs somewhat along the line of the structures shown in Figs. 10 and 11 may be inserted inthe pockets III. a

herein, arefintended to cover any structure for display on such a sign regardless of its specific form or design. "The designations referring to other details are, of course, to be interpreted with similar sensible latitude in accordance with the meaning as it appears from theirintended functions and use. Explanations furnished with reference to a certain embodiment are also understood to apply to alternate structures unless incompatible with the use thereof.

It should be observed that the feature of mounting the glass panel or panels, as shown herein, may be used alone in any sign structure in the general class referred to; i. e., it may be used independent of the letter mountings. Any of the channels of the upright carrier members may be' lined with suitable resilient material, if desired, in order to provide a grip on the edge of the glass panel; or, if desired or necessary, may be cemented to the edge of the panel, in the manner as indicated, for example, in Fig. 13, wherein the two channel uprights if and ll of the structure illustrated in Fig. 13 are shown in section with the inside lined as indicated at I25 and I26, and thus attached to the respective edge of the panels 2'! and 28 and holding it with a tight grip. The channel members may be attached in this manner particularly in embodiments wherein only straight strip-likechannel uprights are directly attached to the glass panel or panels.

Difl'erent modifications and embodiments of the invention, either in detail or in its entirety, are possible, and it is therefore understood that the showing made herein is only for the purpose of teaching others how to use the invention. What is believed to be new and desired to have protected by Letters Patent of the United States is pointed out and defined in the appended claims.

1. In combination, a receptacle containing i1- luminating means, an opening at the side of said receptacle, a glass panel for closing said opening, and channel means for attachment to opposite edges of said panel constituting a carrier therefor, together with cross members connecting said channel means in front of said panel, and character means for removable attachment to said cross members in close proximity to the surface of said panel.

2. The combination defined in claim 1, wherein said glass panel comprises a plurality of adjacent sections, together with channel members disposed between said sections constituting said carrier means for said panels.

3. The combination defined in claim 1, wherein said glass panel comprises a plurality of sections, together with upright channel members disposed between said sections constituting said carrier means, and means for laterally tying adjacent sections and channel members together.

4. In a display sign comprisinga box and a translucent removable display panel for closing the side thereof, channel-shaped members attached to the edgeoi said panelat two opposite sides thereof and constituting a carrier therefor, said carrier being removable with said panel, a plurality of mounting means disposed on each of said carrier members in spaced relation to each other, and cross members extending in front of said panel and connecting said mounting means,

together with character means for removable attachment to said cross members.

5. In a display sign comprising a box and a translucent removable display panel for closing the side thereof, channel-shaped members attached to the edge of said panel at two opposite sides thereof and constituting a carrier there- 'rier means, cross members connecting said mounting means and extending in front of said panel across the surface thereof, and character means removably supported by said cross members. h

7. In a display sign, the combinationof a glass display panel with a carrier therefor, comprising channel members attached to the edge of the panel, and cross members connecting said channel members and extending in front of said panel across the surface thereof.

8. In combination, a glass display panel for 'a display sign, a pair of channel-shaped carrier strips attached to the edge of said panel at opposite sides thereof and embracing said edge thereat, and cross members extending in front of said panel acrossthe face thereof and tying said carrier strips together.

9. In a sign wherein removable character means are displayed to form a message against a translucent removable display panel, the combination with said display panel, of a holder therefor which is directly attached to it and is removable with it, together with means attached to said holder for supporting said character means in front of said panel in close proximity to the surface thereof so that the character means appears in silhouette against thepaneh 10. In a-sign, a glass display panel, comprising a plurality of individually removable adjacent sections, holder means directly attached to said sections and removable therewith, cross members attached to said holder means and extendin across each section in spaced relation thereto, and sign characters secured on said cross members for display against said panel sections.

11. In a sign, a glass display panel, comprising a plurality of adjacent sections, holder means inserted between said sections at the juncture thereof and 'in direct contact therewith, cross members attached to said holder means, and

sign character means attached to said cross meme bers for display against said panel sections.

12. An illuminated sign comprising a casing having an opening in the front thereof, lighting said vertical members, and a plurality of periph- Y whereby said characters are displayed in clear silhouette.

13. An illuminated sign comprising a casingv having an opening in the front thereof, lighting means in said casing, hori'zontal channels at the upper and lower margins of said opening, respectively, a plurality of removable carrier devices each comprising a pair of spaced vertical members and a plurality ofiorwardly-disposed horizontal members, the ends of said vertical mem bers being received in said channels, a translucent panel associated with each carrier device, each panel having its upper and lower edges re-' ceived in said channels between and in the same plane with the vertical members of the associated carrier device, and a plurality of interchangeable peripherally flanged characters supported by the horizontal members of said carrier devices with the rear edges of their flanges close against the face of said panels, whereby said characters are displayed in clear silhouette.

14. For use in an illuminated sign, a combination display panel and letter mounting arrangement in a single unit, comprising a glass panel, a pair of vertical members attached to the edge of said panel at opposite sides thereof, and a pair of horizontal channel-shaped members connecting said vertical members together and extending across the face of said panel, said vertical and horizontal members constituting a carrier for the glass panel and the said horizontal members constituting means for supporting" letters or characters in front of said panel.

15. In a display sign, a casing having an opening in front, lighting means in said casing, a plurality of spaced glass panels substantially closing said opening, a plurality of letter supporting devices, one for each panel, each said device comprising a pair of vertical members and a pair of horizontal channel members secured to the sides of said vertical members in spaced relation, a plurality of characters supported in removable interchangeable relation in the horizontal channels of each device, and means for supporting the vertical members of each device in the spaces between the associated panel and the panels on either side, whereby said vertical members are disposed in the same plane with the panels and the said characters are supported close enough to the panels to produce a clear silhouette effect. 7

16. In a display sign, a combination display panel, panel carrier, and letter mounting arrangement, comprising a glass panel, channel members attached to the edge of the panel at opposite sides thereof and embracing at least a portion of the lower edge of the panel, and cross members connecting said channel members and extending in front of said panel across the face thereof.

17. In an illuminated sign, a casing having an opening in front, lights in said casing, a plurality of spaced glass panels substantially closing said opening, upright supporting members positioned in the spaces between said panels and in the same plane therewith, two rows of horizontal letter supporting members connecting said upright members and extending across the face of said panels, and means for removably attaching said horizontal members to said upright members with a variable vertical spacing between said rows to adapt the same to support letters of different sizes.

F'Rlll'D G. GARNER. I GEORGE A. AUER.

DISCLAIMER .F d G. Garner and George A. riuer, Chic 0, I11. DIsPLAr Dnvlcn. Pate511 dated May 31, 1938. Disclaimer filed J y 21, 1939, by the assignee,

Wagner Sign Service, Inc.

Hereb enters this disclaimer to claims 9 and 12 of said specification.

[ flicial Gazette August 15, 1939.]

whereby said characters are displayed in clear silhouette.

13. An illuminated sign comprising a casingv having an opening in the front thereof, lighting means in said casing, hori'zontal channels at the upper and lower margins of said opening, respectively, a plurality of removable carrier devices each comprising a pair of spaced vertical members and a plurality ofiorwardly-disposed horizontal members, the ends of said vertical mem bers being received in said channels, a translucent panel associated with each carrier device, each panel having its upper and lower edges re-' ceived in said channels between and in the same plane with the vertical members of the associated carrier device, and a plurality of interchangeable peripherally flanged characters supported by the horizontal members of said carrier devices with the rear edges of their flanges close against the face of said panels, whereby said characters are displayed in clear silhouette.

14. For use in an illuminated sign, a combination display panel and letter mounting arrangement in a single unit, comprising a glass panel, a pair of vertical members attached to the edge of said panel at opposite sides thereof, and a pair of horizontal channel-shaped members connecting said vertical members together and extending across the face of said panel, said vertical and horizontal members constituting a carrier for the glass panel and the said horizontal members constituting means for supporting" letters or characters in front of said panel.

15. In a display sign, a casing having an opening in front, lighting means in said casing, a plurality of spaced glass panels substantially closing said opening, a plurality of letter supporting devices, one for each panel, each said device comprising a pair of vertical members and a pair of horizontal channel members secured to the sides of said vertical members in spaced relation, a plurality of characters supported in removable interchangeable relation in the horizontal channels of each device, and means for supporting the vertical members of each device in the spaces between the associated panel and the panels on either side, whereby said vertical members are disposed in the same plane with the panels and the said characters are supported close enough to the panels to produce a clear silhouette effect. 7

16. In a display sign, a combination display panel, panel carrier, and letter mounting arrangement, comprising a glass panel, channel members attached to the edge of the panel at opposite sides thereof and embracing at least a portion of the lower edge of the panel, and cross members connecting said channel members and extending in front of said panel across the face thereof.

17. In an illuminated sign, a casing having an opening in front, lights in said casing, a plurality of spaced glass panels substantially closing said opening, upright supporting members positioned in the spaces between said panels and in the same plane therewith, two rows of horizontal letter supporting members connecting said upright members and extending across the face of said panels, and means for removably attaching said horizontal members to said upright members with a variable vertical spacing between said rows to adapt the same to support letters of different sizes.

F'Rlll'D G. GARNER. I GEORGE A. AUER.

DISCLAIMER .F d G. Garner and George A. riuer, Chic 0, I11. DIsPLAr Dnvlcn. Pate511 dated May 31, 1938. Disclaimer filed J y 21, 1939, by the assignee,

Wagner Sign Service, Inc.

Hereb enters this disclaimer to claims 9 and 12 of said specification.

[ flicial Gazette August 15, 1939.] 

